PORT LUDLOW— A long-time Peninsula Communications, or PenCom, employee is the top choice for the interim manager of JeffCom 9-1-1.

Karl Hatton, communications supervisor for the Clallam County emergency dispatch center, was selected Thursday over four other applicants to take over as interim manager of the Jefferson County dispatch center, after Janet Silvus leaves as of March 15.

“This is a challenge, another step in my career,” Hatton said Thursday.

Deborah Stinson, JeffCom 9-1-1 board chairwoman who also serves on the Port Townsend City Council, said that an offer has been made to Hatton and that the salary and start date will be discussed at a meeting on March 8.

Silvus — who has accepted a job as director of 9-1-1 emergency services in Marshfield, Mo. — earned $66,626 a year in Jefferson County.

Hatton, 44, has worked for PenCom and its predecessor since 1986, aside from seven years in Hawaii.

Stinson said she expected the interim director will be in place for about six months.

Hatton would take a leave of absence from PenCom during that time, he said, adding that he might apply for the permanent position when it is advertised.

“PenCom is a good place to work,” Hatton said.

“But once you become a supervisor in this business, upward mobility is limited and this is a good opportunity for me.”

Stinson said that PenCom’s willingness to accommodate Hatton represented a continuing cooperative process.

“This strengthens our collaboration and sets the stage for working together,” Stinson said.

“We are all using the same software and the same technology.”

Stinson said that the board had planned a strategic retreat on Thursday to determine JeffCom 911’s future, but that was derailed when Silvus announced her resignation.

The retreat will be scheduled in the next few months.

PenCom is operated by the Port Angeles Police Department.

In December Hatton and Port Angeles Sgt. Glen Roggenbuck received a distinguished service medal from the Port Angeles Police Department for their efforts in organizing communications and security for the September 2011 celebration of the beginning of the removal of the two dams on the Elwha River.________Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.